The theme for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as set by the The King Center in Atlanta, is “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation The Nonviolent Way.”
In South Florida, you can honor that call and the legacy of the civil rights leader through service projects, marches and other events leading up to and on the federal holiday, which is celebrated every third Monday of January (King’s birthday month).
Below, find activities planned through Monday, Jan. 19, in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
BROWARD COUNTY
Dania Beach
The city seeks volunteers to take part in its MLK Day of Service project to beautify Northwest First Street at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. Starting at 1200 NW First St., the group plans to move along First Street painting fire hydrants and fences, doing landscaping and cleaning up litter from the neighborhood. Light refreshments will be provided. Visit daniabeachfl.gov.
Davie
The town’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will feature excerpts from the “I Have a Dream” speech, as well as guest speakers and musical performances, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at Pine Island Multipurpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Road. Free admission. Visit davie-fl.gov.
Deerfield Beach
The city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, begins with a parade, starting at 10 a.m., and a Fun Day in the Park event. The parade will start at Pioneer Park, 217 NE Fifth Ave., and end at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center, 445 SW Second St. The event will include free food, entertainment, rides, vendors and family friendly activities. Free admission. Visit deerfield-beach.com.
Fort Lauderdale
The YMCA of South Florida’s 22nd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Celebrations will take place on Friday, Jan. 16, with an Inspirational Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 301 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, and an Inspirational Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. Joyce Ladner, civil rights activist and former professor of sociology, provost and interim president at Howard University, is the keynote speaker for both events. Tickets are $175 per person, per event, with all proceeds benefiting the “I Have a Dream” Youth Scholarship Fund. There will also be a Day of Service, set for 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, 1409 NW Sixth St,.Fort Lauderdale, and the Village of Allapattah YMCA, 2370 NW 17th Ave., Miami. Free. Visit ymcasouthflorida.org/standforsomething.
The highlight of the 2026 King Holiday Celebration is the march for nonviolence, which steps off at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, from Sistrunk Boulevard and Northwest Fifth Avenue. The parade ends at Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a multicultural festival is planned at the park with entertainment and educational activities. Free admission. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.
Hollywood
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will feature performances, food, and arts and crafts from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The event will be at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 2400 Charleston St. Free admission. Visit hollywoodfl.org.
Lauderdale Lakes
Take part in the MLK Day of Service — WE CAN! from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Vincent Torres Memorial Park, 4331 NW 36th St. The day will include art and music, sports and recreation, employment and life-skills activities, and free lunch and care packages. Free. Visit lauderdalelakes.org.
Lauderhill
MLK Legacy Night will feature a fireside chat with Cornel West and Ilyasah Shabazz from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place. General admission is $20. Visit showpass.com.
Miramar
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration kicks off with a parade at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, around Sherman Circle. A festival follows from noon to 2 p.m. at Lakeshore Park, 8501 Sherman Circle, with food and music. Free admission. Visit mlkmiramar2026.eventbrite.com.
Oakland Park
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Wimberly Field, 4000 NE Third Ave., will feature performances and activities from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. Highlights include a DJ, Jr. ROTC presentation, “I Have A Dream” speech excerpt, mobile gaming, bounce houses, face painting, balloon artist, food vendors and free ice cream. Free admission. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov.
Parkland
A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Pine Trails Park Amphitheatre, 10559 Trails End, with music, guest speakers, performances, poetry, essay contests, food trucks and more. Free admission. Visit cityofparkland.org.
Pembroke Pines
The city will have its first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, during the annual celebration at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way. The route will end in front of City Hall. Three designated parade viewing areas with bleacher seating will be available. On the plaza at 10 a.m., there will be face painting, arts and crafts for children, interactive family friendly activities, food trucks and vendors. The Deep Fried Funk Band is scheduled to perform from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free admission. Visit ppines.com.
Pompano Beach
The city, in partnership with the Pompano Beach Memorial MLK Committee, will offer a multi-day series of free and low-cost community events, including:
- Join a Poetry Jam from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to wear all-black attire for a night of expression, artistry and cultural celebration. Tickets are $28.52 at eventbrite.com.
- The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration steps off at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Blanche Ely High School, 1201 NW Sixth Ave. After the parade, head to Mitchell Moore Park, 901 NW 10th St., for entertainment, a kids’ zone and food available for purchase until 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Visit parks.pompanobeachfl.gov.
Sunrise
A Night of the Arts — Celebrating the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will have an opening reception at the Sunrise Civic Center Art Gallery, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19. View the work of South Florida artist Karl Jerry Craig and enjoy entertainment and refreshments. Free admission. Visit sunrisefl.gov/mlk.
Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel
Darius Daughtry will perform a spoken word piece during Tamarac’s Rhythm of a Dream: An MLK Performing Arts Celebration event. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
Tamarac
Art Prevails Project founder and artistic director Darius Daughtry will host Rhythm of a Dream: An MLK Performing Arts Celebration from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Tamarac Community Center, 8601 W. Commercial Blvd. The event includes performances by Simone’s Just Dance Performing Arts, musician Doug McDonald, Voices of Rain and The Men of Impact Step Team from Piper High School. Daughtry will perform a spoken word piece. Free admission. Visit tamarac.org/specialevents.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Boca Raton
The city offers four ways to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19. Visit myboca.us. The following events are free and open to the public:
- Community Breakfast, 8-10 a.m. at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 200 Ruby St. Sponsored by D.I.S.C. (Developing Interracial Social Change), the theme is “A Day On, Not A Day Off.”
- Unity March, 10 a.m. from the MLK Jr. Monument, 200 Ruby St., to Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real.
- A ceremony is planned after the parade, 10:30 a.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater, featuring speeches, poetry, music and a Humanitarian Award presentation.
- Unity Celebration, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater, with rides and games, a community service project, booths, stage performances, and food and drinks available for purchase.
Boynton Beach
Serve & Celebrate: Honoring MLK Jr.’s Legacy & Local Leaders returns to honor Dr. King’s legacy on Monday, Jan. 19. Take part in a service project from 8 to 9 a.m. at Sara Sims Park, 209 NW Ninth Ave.; meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave. Then, enjoy a breakfast from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the center, featuring remarks, a full buffet and awards for community leaders. RSVP at eventeny.com.
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum in Delray Beach brings its 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Brunch to Indian Spring Country Club, 11501 El Clair Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. The event will include a performance by the CORE Ensemble and a keynote address by guest speaker William “Bill” Nix, reflecting on his family’s personal relationship with King and their connections to Morehouse College. Tickets are $55. Visit spadymuseum.com.
Delray Beach
Take part in the MLK Walk Against Violence & Hate at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Delray Beach Community Center, 50 NW First Ave. After the walk, activities are planned at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 NW Fifth Ave., including speakers, performances, music and refreshments. Free. Visit delraybeachfl.gov.
Lake Worth Beach
“Passing the Torch” is the theme of the 32nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Visit Facebook.com/LakeWorthBeachPBC. Among the free events are:
- Two Community Service Day events are set for Saturday, Jan. 17. Volunteers can meet at 8 a.m. at the Norman J. Wimbley Gymnasium, 1515 Wingfield St., for a cleanup organized by Healthier Lake Worth Beach. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will have a Community Resource Fair and a clean-up at noon at Ninth Avenue South and G Street.
- On Monday, Jan. 19, the annual MLK Interfaith Unity Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 402 N. M St. Then, start gathering at 4 p.m. for the Candlelight March through downtown. Meet at City Hall, 7 N. Dixie Highway, for a singalong and parade down Lake Avenue. A commemorative program will take place at the Cultural Plaza Memorial.
Riviera Beach
“Walk Together in Unity with Purpose” at the 42nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, with a new route this year, starting at Congress Avenue and MLK Boulevard and ending at MLK Boulevard and Avenue O (where the parade viewing stand is located). Vendors and a family fun area with bounce houses, face painting and performances will be set up from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Dan Calloway Recreational Complex, 1420 W. 10th St. Visit Facebook.com/cityofrivierabeach.
Royal Palm Beach
Former schools superintendent and leadership coach L. Oliver Robinson is keynote speaker for the 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Day Celebration, which includes breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, followed by a program at 10 a.m. The free event is at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, 151 Civic Center Way. Visit royalpalmbeachfl.gov.